Effect of Supplementation of Lambs with Whole Cottonseed: Impact on Serum Biomarkers and Infection by Gastrointestinal Parasites under Field Conditions.

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate serum levels of oxidative stress biomarkers and biochemical analytes in crossbred lambs during the rearing phase in an integrated crop-livestock system (ICLS) to control gastrointestinal parasites. The experiment used 36 crossbred lambs (cross: Ile de France × White Dorper × Texel) divided into two groups. The WCS group was supplemented with whole cottonseed (WCS), and controls had no supplementation. Body weight, blood collection, and fecal analysis of nematode eggs and Eimeria oocysts counting per gram of feces were performed for each animal within 84 days of experiment. The following serum analytes were determined: total protein, albumin, globulin, cholesterol, haptoglobin, and 10 oxidative stress biomarkers: cupric reducing antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing ability of plasma, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, thiol, uric acid, paraoxonase-1, total oxidant status, ferric-xylenol orange, advanced oxidation protein products, and reactive oxygen metabolites derived compounds. The inclusion of WCS suggested the benefit in controlling infection as well as inducing an increase in antioxidants and a decrease in oxidants in lambs naturally infected by gastrointestinal parasites. The combination of WCS and ICLS could be a useful tool in controlling gastrointestinal parasite infection without affecting the production performance.

Changes in Serum Thiol-Disulphide Homeostasis in Sheep with Gastrointestinal Nematodes.

This work aimed to evaluate the thiol-disulphide homeostasis in serum of lambs naturally infected by gastrointestinal nematodes presenting different levels of parasite load indirectly indicated by faecal worm egg counts (EPG). Furthermore, the possible changes in the thiol-disulphide dynamic after different procedures to reduce the parasitic charge, such as the integrated crop-livestock system or anthelmintic treatment, were assessed. The results were compared with a panel of various oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers. The lambs were divided into three groups: animals highly infected (EPG higher than 5000) and packed cell volume (PCV) lower than 24% (G1); animals highly infected (EPG higher than 5000) and normal PCV (>24%) (G2); and animals presenting EPG lower than 5000 and normal PCV (>24%) (G3). The highly infected lambs (G1 and G2) showed lower total thiol (TT) and native thiol (SH) (p ≤ 0.01) than those from G3. After treatment, TT and SH increased significantly in all groups (p ≤ 0.01), and the disulphide (SS)/TT and SS/SH ratios decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in G1 and G2. These results show that the thiol-disulphide balance was impaired in lambs infected by gastrointestinal nematodes and that it could be potentially used as a biomarker to monitor this disease.

Epidemiological aspects of Ancylostoma spp. infection in naturally infected dogs from São Paulo state, Brazil.

Ancylostoma spp. are the most prevalent canine nematode parasites in Brazil. Despite their widespread parasitism in juvenile dogs, infections may occur regardless of host age. Although eosinophilia is a frequent finding in experimental infections, it is uncommon in naturally infected dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. and the eosinophil blood counts (EBC) in naturally infected dogs, with or without comorbidities, admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Botucatu campus, São Paulo state, Brazil, from 2009 to 2018. All retrospective data were gathered from veterinary medical records (VMR); diagnosis of Ancylostoma infection required the identification of eggs in fecal samples by the simple flotation test (SFT). Ancylostoma-infected animals were evaluated for other intestinal parasitic coinfections (IPC) by either the SFT or the centrifugal-flotation test. Dogs free of any gastro-intestinal parasites were prospectively included in control group (Group C). Ancylostoma-infected animals were defined: Ancylostoma spp. only intestinal parasite infection (Group A), Ancyslostoma spp. with concurrent IPC (Group B), Ancylostoma spp. only intestinal parasite infection with concurrent systemic disorders (Group D), and Ancylostoma spp. with both IPC and concurrent systemic disorders (Group E). The overall prevalence of Ancylostoma spp. was 12.1% (207/1715), that was decreased from 2014 to 2018 (9.7%) relative to the 2009-to-2013 period (13.9%). Prevalence was not significantly different between dogs <1-year-old (10.7% [51/478]) and ≥ 1 year-old (11.7% [130/1109]). IPC was observed in 45.4% (93/205) of the animals positive for Ancylostoma spp., while dogs <1 year old experienced IPC more often (58.8% [30/51]) than dogs ≥1 year old (38.5% [50/130]) (P = 0.02). Group A (n = 35) exhibited median EBC of 1.05 × 109/L, and an eosinophilia ratio of 34.3% that was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than Group C (0.45 × 109/L and 4.1%, respectively). Both variables did not differ in Group B (n = 20), D (n = 39) or E (n = 36) in comparison to Group C (P > 0.05). By ROC curve analysis, only Group A generated a significant area under the curve (0.72). With EBC cutoff of 0.85 × 109 eosinophils/L, sensitivity and specificity were 65.7% and 70.8%, respectively. Eosinophil counts alone may be helpful in raising suspicion of an Ancylostoma spp. infection if further intestinal parasites and concurrent disorders are absent. However, local prevalence data and epidemiological findings should also be evaluated, since eosinophilia is less frequently observed with Ancylostoma spp. infections in the presence of comorbidities.

Quantitative proteomic profiling of bovine follicular fluid during follicle development.

Bovine follicular fluid (FF) constitutes the microenvironment of follicles and includes various biologically active proteins. We performed a study involving 18 healthy nonlactating Holstein cows to determine the protein expression profile of FF at key stages of follicular development. Follicles were individually aspirated in vivo at predeviation (F1 ∼ 7.0 mm), deviation (F1 ∼ 8.5 mm), postdeviation (F1 ∼ 12.0 mm), and preovulatory stages of follicle development, which were confirmed by measurement of follicular estradiol and progesterone concentrations. The FFs from nine cows were selected for proteomic analysis. After albumin depletion, triplicates of pooled FF were reduced, alkylated, and digested with trypsin. The resulting peptides were labeled with TMTsixplex and quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. A total of 143 proteins were identified and assigned to a variety of biological processes, including response to stimulus and metabolic processes. Twenty-two differentially (P < 0.05) expressed proteins were found between stages indicating intrafollicular changes over development, with expected deviation time critical to modulate the protein expression. For instance, high concentrations of follistatin, inhibin, serglycin, spondin-1, fibrinogen, and anti-testosterone antibody were found during early stages of follicular development. In contrast, apolipoprotein H, alpha-2-macroglobulin, plasminogen, antithrombin-III, and immunoglobulins were increased after deviation. Among the differentially abundant proteins, 19 were found to be associated with steroidogenesis. Pathway analysis identified proteins that were mainly associated with the acute phase response signaling, coagulation system, complement system, liver/retinoid X receptor activation, and biosynthesis of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen. The differentially expressed proteins provide insights into the size-dependent protein changes in the ovarian follicle microenvironment that could influence follicular function.

Proteínas de fase aguda em cadelas com neoplasia mamária / Acute phase proteins in female dogs with mammary tumors

As proteínas de fase aguda (PFA) apresentam concentrações séricas alteradas mediante processos infecciosos, inflamatórios e neoplásicos. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar as variações séricas das PFA em cadelas portadoras de neoplasia mamária, comparando com a avaliação histológica e leucograma. As PFA foram avaliadas em 45 cadelas com tumor de mama, distribuídas nos grupos neoplasia benigna (n=13), maligna não ulcerada (n=24) e maligna ulcerada (n=8). O grupo controle foi composto por 20 cadelas saudáveis. Foram realizados o teste de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida contendo dodecil sulfato de sódio (SDS-PAGE) para identificar as PFA (albumina, ceruloplasmina, transferrina, haptoglobina Hp, α-1 antitripsina e α-1 glicoproteina ácida) e o teste ultrassensível para proteína C reativa (PCR). As pacientes com neoplasia mamária maligna ulcerada apresentaram elevações sérica para PCR e Hp e redução da albumina (P<0,05, One-Way ANOVA e Teste de Dunn). Nessas pacientes, foi observada correlação positiva entre o leucograma inflamatório e o aumento das PFA (P=0,002, Teste de Fisher) e não foram observadas correlações entre as PFA e os subtipos histológicos. Conclui-se que avaliações conjuntas da PCR, Hp e albumina podem ser utilizadas como ferramenta de auxílio diagnóstico e prognóstico em cadelas com neoplasia mamária.

Acute phase proteins (APPs) are serum proteins whose concentrations change after infectious and inflammatory disease, and cancer. The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in APPs concentration and to correlate these findings with histological classification and WBC in female dogs with mammary tumors. APPs were studied in 45 female dogs with mammary tumor distributed in the following groups: benign (n=13), malignant without tumor ulceration (n=24), and malignant with tumor ulceration (n=8). SDS-polyacrylamide gel (SDS-PAGE) electrophoresis was used to measure APPs concentrations (albumin, ceruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobinHp, α-1-acid glycoprotein and α-1-antitrypsin) and ultrasensitive assay was used to evaluate serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Patients with malignant mammary neoplasia plus ulceration had significant increase of CRP and Hp, and had decreased levels of albumin (P<0.05, One-Way ANOVA and Dunn Test). Positive correlation among APPs and inflammatory leukocytosis were observed (P=0.002, Fisher test). No correlation was observed between APPs and histological subtype. In conclusion, combined changes of CRP, Hp and albumin may be used as a prediagnostic tool and prognosis in dogs with mammary tumors.

Mel e açúcar mascavo na cicatrização de feridas / Honey and brown sugar in wounds healing

O estudo teve como objetivo comparar a eficácia do mel e do açúcar mascavo na cicatrização de feridas induzidas cirurgicamente na pele de cobaias, para avaliar o tempo de cicatrização, as variações macroscópicas e microscópicas do tecido cicatricial, a contração das feridas e o grau de contaminação. Quinze cobaias da raça Abissínia, machos inteiros, de seis meses de idade e pesando entre 500 a 850 gramas, foram divididas em três grupos com cinco animais cada, nos quais foram induzidas, cirurgicamente, três feridas em cada animal com dimensão de 1,5cm² e distância entre elas de 1,5cm, na região dorsal. A ferida F1 foi tratada diariamente com mel, a ferida F2 com solução salina 0,9% (controle) e a ferida F3 com o açúcar mascavo. A eutanásia foi realizada no Grupo 1 ao sétimo dia após a cirurgia, no Grupo 2 ao décimo quarto dia e no Grupo 3 no vigésimo primeiro dia após a cirurgia, sendo as biópsias encaminhadas para avaliação histopatológica. Foram também realizados swabs das feridas em todos os grupos no terceiro e sétimo dias após a cirurgia e as amostras enviadas para a cultura e isolamento bacteriano. Concluiu-se que as feridas tratadas com o mel cicatrizaram mais rápido em relação às tratadas com o açúcar mascavo, demonstrando a maior propriedade cicatrizante do mel em relação ao açúcar mascavo.

The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of honey and brown sugar in wounds healing induced in the skin of guinea pigs, to evaluate the healing time, microscopic and macroscopic healing variations, wound contraction and contamination degree. Fifteen guinea pigs, Abyssinia breed, males, six months of age and weighing between 500 to 850 grams, were divided in three groups with five animals each. Three wounds were promoted in each animal, surgical, with 1.5cm² and 1.5cm between them, in the dorsal region. The F1 was treated, daily, with honey, F2 with saline solution 0,9% (control) and F3 with brown sugar. Euthanasia was performed in Group 1 on the seventh day after the surgery, Group 2 on the fourteenth day and the Group 3 on the twenty-first day after the surgery and the biopsies sent to histopathological evaluation. Wounds swabs were made in all groups on the third and seventh days after the surgery and the samples sent for culture and bacterial isolation. The wounds treated with honey healed faster than treated with brown sugar.

Oslerus osleri (Cobbold, 1876) infection in maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus, illiger, 1815).

Oslerus osleri is a small nematode that infects the respiratory tract of domestic and wild canids and is responsible for causing chronic nodular tracheobronchitis. This paper aims to report a case of parasitism by O. osleri in a free-living maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) that was struck by a motor vehicle. Fecal samples were collected, and the presence of spiral larvae, with "S"-shaped tails, was observed on flotation. This characteristic was compatible with the Filaroididae Family larvae of O. osleri. Although the animal did not show clinical signs of respiratory system impairment, a tracheobronchoscopy was performed. Semitransparent nodules, 5 mm in diameter, containing adult parasites were observed in the third distal portion of the trachea, cranial to the carina. Larval morphological characteristics and the nodular locations were compatible with an O. osleri respiratory tract infection.

Hematology of the Red-capped parrot (Pionopsitta pileata) and Vinaceous Amazon parrot (Amazona vinacea) in captivity.

Preliminary reference intervals for hematologic and total plasma protein profiles were determined for nine adult Red-capped parrots (Pionopsitta pileata) (six males and three females) and six Vinaceous Amazon parrots (Amazona vinacea) (two adult males, two adult females, one juvenile, and one nonsexed) from the Curitiba Zoo, Paraná, Brazil. For both Red-capped parrots and Vinaceous Amazon parrots, adult males had higher red blood cell counts than adult females. Regarding white blood cell distribution, differences due to gender were also found for both species of parrots.

Pesquisa de marcadores parasitológicos e hematológicos de resistência ao parasitismo gastrintestinal em cordeiros / Study of parasitological and haematological markers of resistance to nematode parasites in lambs

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de identificar marcadores parasitológicos e hematológicos que reflitam a habilidade de ovinos jovens em resistir ao desafio dos nematóides para uma possível seleçäo de animais resistentes à verminose gastrintestinal. Foi estudado um rebanho de 26 cordeiros. Os animais foram avaliados por um período de oito meses, através de colheitas quinzenais de fezes e de sangue. O marcador parasitológico utilizado foi a quantidade de ovos por grama de fezes (opg) e os marcadores hematológicos utilizados foram: contagem de eosinófilos, hematócrito, concentraçäo de hemoglobina, contagem total de eritrócitos e proteínas plasmáticas totais. A metodologia empregada para a seleçäo de cordeiros resistentes ou susceptíveis ao parasitismo foi a análise de cluster. Verificou-se que, para os cordeiros, antes de completarem sete meses de idade, a realizaçäo de um programa de seleçäo näo é viável, pois há uma grande variaçäo na resposta imunológica destes animais para os parâmetros estudados. Foi possível selecionar os cordeiros utilizando-se a associaçäo do opg com a contagem de eosinófilos e a série vermelha sanguínea de quatro picos de parasitismo. Foram selecionados nove cordeiros (36,0 por cento do rebanho)susceptíveis, 3(12,0 por cento do rebanho) intermediário, onze (44,0 por cento do rebanho) resistentes ao parasitismo gastrintestinal e dois cordeiros näo puderam ser selecionados (8,0 por cento do rebanho)